Power Outage in Sulphur Springs, TX

Extreme cold gripped the county for several days. Overnight lows were below 20 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the week. The period of February 15-16th was the coldest with low temperatures in the single digits and even slightly below zero degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum temperature on the 15th was only in the lower teens. Wind chill values during the 14th-16th were between 10 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time. The cold temperatures resulted in an extreme amount of damage to pipes, infrastructure, and power. The State listed 1 fatality in Hopkins County due to the winter storm but no additional information could be obtained.

Residents recorded video of a tornado near FM 1567 and|County Road 1137 shortly after 530 PM. Tornado briefly had multiple|vortices but generally maintained a width of around 100 yards. The|tornado traveled north along County Road 1131 with mainly tree |damage observed. A metal barn was destroyed near CR 1131 and CR |1120. A home was damaged along FM 275 south of I-30 near the end|of the track. The home burned after a large tree limb fell on the |main powerline into the home.

Sulphur Springs News reported trees blown down, one of which landed on a parked car. Power lines were also reported blown down county-wide. Several homes also reported roof damage.

Up to 2 of freezing rain and sleet fell across the county causing significant damage to trees, tree branches, utility poles and lines due to the heavy collection of ice. A trained spotter reported 0.50 of freezing rain in Cumby. The newspaper in Sulphur Springs reported over 1.75 of sleet. Hundreds of trees, tree branches, and power lines were knocked down. Falling tree branches and ice damaged cars and roofs. Bridges, overpasses, and elevated surfaces became icy but other roads were largely not impacted by the ice. One railroad employee was injured when a tree fell on him as he was working to remove tree debris from the railroad tracks.

Trained spotters and Sulphur Springs PD reported a tornado near Highway 19 North and Loop 301 on the north side of town. This tornado touched down in open country but did damage to a few power poles, power lines, and trees. The tornado was rated an EF-0 with maximum estimated winds near 85 mph. The total path length was around 0.6 miles long with a width of approximately 50 yards.

Powerlines and a large tree blocked a highway about 4 miles southwest of Sulphur Springs.

Several travel trailers were blown over, many trees and power poles were knocked down, and a metal building was severely damaged in Sulphur Springs. A tree at The Propane Company on Loop 31 was snapped and fell on a carport which damaged the car underneath the covering.

A large tree was blown through power lines by thunderstorm winds on Reservoir St. in Sulphur Springs. A utility pole near Mulberry Street and Middle Street was snapped in two.

Hopkins County local and county Emergency Management officials determined that damage and debris reported near the intersection of Interstate 30 and Highway 67 was caused by straight line winds of approximately 70 mph. Winds damaged trees, powerlines and power poles near this location.

Reports of 8-12 of snow were reported across the county. The heaviest snowfall totals were reported in the southwest corner of the county. A total of 8.5-9 of snow was reported in Sulphur Springs, and a total of 12 of snow was estimated in Brashear. According to the local newspaper, only a few minor vehicle accidents and a few power outages were reported. The roads that were impacted the most were SH 11 east from Como to the county line, westbound I-30 from Franklin County to Sulphur Springs, and SH 154 South.

Power poles and large trees were damaged at the intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 154 on the north side of Sulphur Springs.

In Sulphur Springs, trees and large limbs were down in the 1500 block of East Industrial Drive and along State Highway 154 south of the city. A large tree on South Davis Street was also snapped near the base and fell against a house. Power outages were reported on the south side of town.

Numerous homes in the Sandy Ranch area south of Sulphur Springs sustained extensive damage. Roofs were torn off, meter boxes were ripped off homes, and one garage was destroyed. Large trees were also uprooted and power lines were blown down. Additional large trees were also blown down to the east of Sandy Ranch along FM 2560 and CR 2174.

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and found that an EF-1 tornado occurred north of Sulphur Springs. Damage was first noted west of Highway 19, along the northbound part of CR 4761. Trees and a shed were damaged. Along Highway 19 and between CR 3620 and CR 4508, several trees were snapped and power lines were damaged. More significant damage occurred along CR 4508 where several homes and a barn sustained damage. Most of the damage to houses was confined to the roofs. A shed was destroyed and debris from it struck a lightpole. The impact along with the strong winds bent the lightpole to the ground. A semi trailer was blown over and trees snapped along FM 3236 and CR 4510. Additional trees were damaged north of CR 3510 and east of FM 3236. Maximum winds were estimated at 85-90 MPH.

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and found that an EF-1 tornado occurred north of Sulphur Springs. Damage was first noted west of Highway 19, along the northbound part of CR 4761. Trees and a shed were damaged. Along Highway 19 and between CR 3620 and CR 4508, several trees were snapped and power lines were damaged. More significant damage occurred along CR 4508 where several homes and a barn sustained damage. Most of the damage to houses was confined to the roofs. A shed was destroyed and debris from it struck a lightpole. The impact along with the strong winds bent the lightpole to the ground. A semi trailer was blown over and trees snapped along FM 3236 and CR 4510. Additional trees were damaged north of CR 3510 and east of FM 3236. Maximum winds were estimated at 85-90 MPH.

One aircraft was overturned at the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport and at least four hangars were damaged. One large tree was uprooted and a brick wall was blown down. Substantial roof damage occurred in downtown Sulphur Springs. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down around the county.

Strong winds downed power lines and trees across the county sparking several grass fires.

Dozens of trees, large tree limbs, power poles, and power lines were downed across the western half of the county. The roof of a barn was blown off onto State Highway 11, and a tree fell on a house on Cranford Street.

Dozens of trees, large tree limbs, power poles, and power lines were downed across the western half of the county. The roof of a barn was blown off onto State Highway 11, and a tree fell on a house on Cranford Street.

At least two large trees fell due to the weight of ice accumulations over the weekend. Power outages were also reported.

A barn was blown down about 1 mile southwest of Sulphur Springs. In downtown Suphur Springs, winds blew down several power lines on North Locust Street, Gilmer Street, and College Street. At least three trees blew onto three different main power lines in Sulphur Springs and Martin Springs, leaving about 3,000 customers without power. Lightning strikes caught two trees on fire and also struck the radio tower used by the sheriff's office, knocking out the primary communication channel for the city. A survey the next morning revealed that parts of the repeater were badly damaged and would need to be replaced.

Winds from Tropical Storm Rita knocked over dozens of trees and power poles. The highest gust recorded was 47 MPH.

Trees and power lines were blown down across the county.

Occurred near the community of Pine Forest. 3 large transmission towers were blown down, and there were numerous reports of trees and power lines down.

Power lines were blown down by high thunderstorm winds.

Power lines were blown down by high thunderstorm wind.